Regiments of the Malta Garrison The Border Regiment (34th/55th)

The Border Regiment

Introduction

A Star similar to the Order of the Garter with a crown displacing the uppermost point, superimposed with a star similar to the Order of the Bath, lying on a laurel wreath, and bearing the battle honours on the four arms. In the centre, a circle inscribed Arroyo dos Molinos 1811, and within the circle a Dragon superscribed China. On the base is a scroll inscribed The Border Regiment Drummers Bn 1926.

The Border Regiment was formed on 1 July 1881 through the amalgamation of the 34th (Cumberland) Regiment and the 55th (Westmoreland) Regiment.

The 34th became the 1st Battalion, the 55th became the 2nd Battalion of the Border Regiment.

The 34th received the Battle Honour Arroyo dos Molinos 1811 from its service in the Peninsula War, when on 28 October 1811, the 34th captured its opposite number in the French Army.

The 55th was granted the China Dragon superscribed China for its service during the China War of 1840–42.

Admissions into hospital and deaths during the year with ratio of admissions and deaths per 1000 of strength. The average strength of the troops, exclusive of the Royal Malta Artillery, was 7,390 men.

5909 Pt James Shaw 1st/Border Regt died 28 July 1899 aged 26 years. (Pieta' Military Cemetery)

The 1st/Border Regiment was quartered at Mtarfa Barracks for 8 months and at Floriana for 4 months where it occupied Notre Dame Ravelin and the Old Laboratory, Valletta. It moved to Marsamxetto Barracks Valletta on the arrival of the 3rd/Lancaster Regiment.

On 12 September a detachment of about 251 men arrived at Crete from Malta. It left Crete on 4 November.

Its average constantly sick was 48.64. The average sick time to each soldier was 21.55 days. The average duration of cases of sickness was 19.33 days.

The following were baptised in Malta in 1898:

2 MarHerbert John Bailey born on 8 December 1897, son of Sgt George Bailey and Kate Elizabeth, resident at Mtarfa.

2 MarWilliam Seymour McBride born on 1 February 1898, son of L/Sgt William John McBride and Lilian Gabrielle Katherine, resident at Mtarfa.

The 2nd/Border Regiment

2 Nov 1888 The 2nd/Border Regiment (714 men (8 coys) embarked at Portsmouth for Malta. It disembarked in Malta on 13 November 1888.

It had an average strength of 89 men. It had 110 admissions into hospital.

Its average constantly sick was 6.55. The average sick time to each soldier was 26.93 days. The average duration of cases of sickness was 21.70 days.

The 2nd/Border Regiment was quartered as follows: HQ, A Coy and B Coys at Isola Gate, C Coy, Band and Drums at St Francesco de Paola, G Coy at St Paul's Bastion, and D Coy, E Coy and F Coy at Polverista Barracks.

5880 Boy William Sandford Horton, Band 1st Border Regt, Died 20 Oct 1898, at the Station Hospital Valletta, aged 16 years (Pieta' Military Cemetery). A number of Boy Regts were recruited from Parish Boys between the ages of 10 and 16 so as to relieve parishes of the upkeep of young boys and to increase the strength of the army.

The 2nd/Border Regiment had an average strength of 123 men. It had 93 admissions into hospital with 3 deaths. 2 invalids returned to England.

Its average constantly sick was 6.58. The average sick time to each soldier was 19.53 days. The average duration of cases of sickness was 25.82 days.

21 Feb 1890 The 2nd/Border Regiment was quartered at Verdala Barracks Cottonera for 1 3/4 months with detachments at Pembroke Camp. It embarked for Bombay India on 21 Feb 1890, where it arrived on 10 Mar 1890. It was relieved in Malta by the 1st/Bedfordshire Regiment.

The following burials took place at Rinella Military Cemetery in 1890: